Academic Competence-Building Predicts Depression in Early Adolescence: A Longitudinal Analysis

Longitudinal and bi-directional associations between academic competence-building and depression symptoms in adolescence were examined using the random intercept cross-lagged panel model. At the within-individual level, prior competence-building predicted subsequent depression. The opposite effect was not observed. Within-individual deviations in competence-building predicted end-of-year grades and adjustment problems.